Shreveport Will Launch Private Security Patrols in October

The Downtown Development Authority has contracted private security to patrol the city center starting this October.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an urban street corner with a brick building and lamppost, evoking local security policy. — The Shreveport Downtown Development Authority will launch a private security patrol program this October to augment police presence and support local public safety efforts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Beginning in October 2026, Tectus Management Services will provide private security patrols in downtown Shreveport to address safety concerns. The initiative is intended to support the local police department by monitoring for issues like panhandling and open containers.

Why it matters

The program addresses staffing shortages within the Shreveport Police Department while aiming to improve public safety. Additionally, the project is tied to a broader effort by the Downtown Development Authority to house 52 homeless individuals currently living in the city center.

The security contract covers a 90-day period with a $200,000 budget split equally between the Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation. Security officers lack formal arrest powers but are authorized to detain individuals for up to one hour.

The players

Tectus Management Services

This is a private security company based in New Orleans that has been contracted to conduct patrols in downtown Shreveport.

Downtown Development Authority

This organization manages downtown redevelopment initiatives and is the primary entity overseeing the new security and homelessness programs.

Shreveport Police Department

This city agency is responsible for local law enforcement and is currently dealing with staff shortages that prompted the use of private security.

Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation

This corporation partnered with the Downtown Development Authority to provide funding for the security contract.

The details

Four to five officers will patrol the area seven days a week using utility terrain vehicles, contacting the Shreveport Police Department when they observe criminal offenses. The project is based out of an 821-square-foot office provided rent-free by the City Council in the Red River District.

The security campaign was unveiled in September 2026.
Patrols are scheduled to begin in October 2026.
The DDA intends to reach its homeless housing goal within one year.
A progress update on the initiative is expected next year.

Legal Context

This program operates under the framework established by the Shreveport City Council's public safety ordinances regarding security and municipal behavior. The project follows a growing trend of cities utilizing private security partnerships to fill gaps left by police department staffing shortages.

Residents and business owners in the downtown area should expect to see security officers patrolling in utility terrain vehicles seven days a week. These officers will act as a supplemental presence, but citizens should continue to contact the police for emergency assistance.

The takeaway

The use of private security aims to maintain order in the downtown area by focusing on panhandling and other nuisance violations. Residents may benefit from increased visibility, though the initiative remains a 90-day pilot program subject to future review.